EP1291658A1 - Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter - Google Patents

Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1291658A1
EP1291658A1 EP01307602A EP01307602A EP1291658A1 EP 1291658 A1 EP1291658 A1 EP 1291658A1 EP 01307602 A EP01307602 A EP 01307602A EP 01307602 A EP01307602 A EP 01307602A EP 1291658 A1 EP1291658 A1 EP 1291658A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
assembly
cylinder
plunger
clamping
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01307602A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Adrian Neil Bargh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Automation Partnership Cambridge Ltd
Original Assignee
Automation Partnership Cambridge Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Automation Partnership Cambridge Ltd filed Critical Automation Partnership Cambridge Ltd
Priority to EP01307602A priority Critical patent/EP1291658A1/de
Priority to US10/235,938 priority patent/US20030066364A1/en
Publication of EP1291658A1 publication Critical patent/EP1291658A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/0275—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
    • B01L3/0279—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips co-operating with positive ejection means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/0099—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor comprising robots or similar manipulators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0418—Plate elements with several rows of samples
    • G01N2035/042—Plate elements with several rows of samples moved independently, e.g. by fork manipulator

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for pipetting fluids and which is for use with automated machinery.
  • the head may be able to clamp on to sample trays to move them, have a component for opening doors, or have a liquid sampling/dispensing component, and may be able to select one of these components, attach itself to this, perform an operation, and then return it and place it back in the associated holder.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a liquid sampling/dispensing head for use with automated machinery which is lightweight and compact in order to overcome some of the above problems.
  • a head apparatus for attachment, in use, to a robot head comprising:
  • the plunger assembly may be arranged such that its clamping assembly engaging position is at one extreme of its range of motion.
  • the plunger assembly may also be arranged such that it engages with the clamping assembly to ensure fluid-tight engagement of the removable pipetting head with the clamping assembly.
  • a sensor may be provided on the head apparatus to ensure fluid-tight engagement of the pipetting head with the clamping assembly and cylinder is provided in use.
  • the drive motor may drive the plunger assembly by engagement with a threaded screw drive mechanism.
  • the present invention provides a system in which it is necessary only to have a single operating motor which can generate the necessary pressure differentials to enable the head to sample and dispense liquids as well as remove and retain replace wall components. It also provides means for determining that replaceable components are connected correctly so that erroneous sampling and dispensing does not occur and that the overall operation of the automated machinery in which the apparatus of the invention is used is reliable and needs little human intervention.
  • a system employing the head apparatus of the invention operates within an enclosure 1 which has various storage and operation regions 2,5.
  • the system shown is a system for growing live cell cultures and therefore has regions 2 which contain incubators, regions 2 which contain chemical supplies, and other regions for outputting samples and housing control and automation machinery.
  • an automated robot 3 with a clamping head 4.
  • the head apparatus 4 has a clamping assembly (not shown) which enables it to connect with sample trays, sample flasks, and supply-contain components in order to automatically maintain the processes that are being performed by the system.
  • the head apparatus 10 of the present invention is contained within a holding region 5 and is shaped so that it can be retained by the clamping head 4 on the robot 3 and removed from the holding region 5 when needed to sample and/or dispense fluids from anywhere within the system of Figure 1.
  • FIG 2 shows in more detail components that can be found in the region 5 of Figure 1.
  • a head apparatus 10 according to the present invention is held in a stand 11 arranged to be connected to a support (not shown) in use.
  • the stand 11 also has a second holding component 12 with a bracket 13 for supporting a pipette storage bin 14 which holds fresh sampling and dispensing heads for access by the head apparatus 10 in use.
  • Also associated with the stand 11 is a used pipette bin 15 which receives, in use, used pipette heads from the head apparatus 10.
  • FIG. 3 shows the head apparatus 10 of the invention together with a clamp assembly 20 and removable pipette head 21.
  • the clamp assembly 20 is, in use, held within the head apparatus 10 and is arranged such that, in use, pipette heads 21 can be moved into it and a clamp automatically upon insertion. In operation of the overall system this will occur by movement of the head apparatus 10 by the robot 3 to a pipette head supply bin 14, at which point the head apparatus 10 and associated clamping assembly 20 is driven into the bin 14 to engage with a pipette head 21. As clamping occurs automatically upon insertion of the pipette head 21 into the clamping assembly 20 the robot 3 can then move the head assembly 10 away from the bin and retain a pipette head 21.
  • FIG 4 is an exploded view which shows the internal components of the head apparatus 10 of the earlier figures.
  • a motor 30 which, in use, drives a drive belt 31 to rotate a screw-threaded drive mechanism 32 the drive mechanism 32 engages with a plunger clamp 33 which is attached, in use, to a plunger 34.
  • the plunger 34 has an optional sensor component 35 associated therewith in order to determine the position of the plunger 34 to improve overall reliability if control of the head apparatus 10.
  • the plunger 34 is slidably retained within a cylinder 36 such that, in use, a pressure differential at the tip 37 of the cylinder 36 is generated.
  • the tip 37 of the cylinder 36 is attached, in use, to the clamping assembly 20 of figure 3 and the end portion of the plunger 34 that, in its maximum extension position, is capable of being moved to the tip 37 of the cylinder 36 is arranged so that it engages with the clamping assembly 20 to actuate it to release a pipette head 21 attached thereto.
  • the head apparatus 10 receives control instructions to drive the drive motor 30, which, in turn, moves the assembly and plunger 34. This generates a pressure differential within the cylinder 36 that enables fluid either to be drawn up into the pipette head 21 or dispensed therefrom, depending upon the direction of movement of the plunger 34.
  • the head apparatus 10 is moved to be placed over the bin 15 of figure 2 and the plunger 34 driven by the drive motor 30 such that it extends to the tip 37, engages with the clamping assembly 20 and actuates the clamping assembly 20 to push the pipette head 21 out of engagement with the clamping assembly 20, dropping the pipette head 21 into the bin 15.
  • An optional sensor 38 is provided at the tip 37 in order to detect whether or not a pipette head 21 is connected to the head apparatus 10 and to ensure adequate, fluid-time connection so that the plunger 34, cylinder 36 and pipette head 21 operate correctly.
  • the assembly of the present invention requires only a single motor and a simply control thereof to provide fluid sampling and dispensing as well as to provide the release and connection mechanisms associated with the use of a removable pipette head 21. This reduces the overall weight of the head apparatus 10 as well as reducing its size.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
EP01307602A 2001-09-07 2001-09-07 Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter Withdrawn EP1291658A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01307602A EP1291658A1 (de) 2001-09-07 2001-09-07 Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter
US10/235,938 US20030066364A1 (en) 2001-09-07 2002-09-06 Pipette head appatatus for robot

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01307602A EP1291658A1 (de) 2001-09-07 2001-09-07 Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1291658A1 true EP1291658A1 (de) 2003-03-12

Family

ID=8182246

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01307602A Withdrawn EP1291658A1 (de) 2001-09-07 2001-09-07 Pipettenkopfeinrichtung für Roboter

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20030066364A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1291658A1 (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10247731A1 (de) * 2002-10-12 2004-04-22 Eppendorf Ag Greifwerkzeug, Dosierwerkzeug und Werkzeughalter für einen Laborautomaten
DE102004016670A1 (de) * 2004-04-05 2005-10-20 Gerstel Systemtechnik Gmbh Verfahren zur Probenaufgabe für ein Probenanalysegerät und Linerhandhabungssystem
WO2005121807A1 (de) * 2004-06-07 2005-12-22 Aviso Gmbh Mechatronic Systems Werkzeugkopf für eine vorrichtung zur autmatischen isolierung und behandlung von zellklonen
WO2008012596A2 (en) * 2006-07-26 2008-01-31 Health Robotics S.R.L. Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
EP2236199A3 (de) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-20 Ludger Fischer Verfahren und Einrichtung zum automatischen sterilen Dosieren und Mischen von Infusionen
EP2633908A1 (de) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-04 K-Mac Biomaterial-Detektionsvorrichtung
EP2261676B1 (de) * 2009-06-12 2015-01-21 CTC Analytics AG Werkzeug zur Handhabung einer Probe
CN106908271A (zh) * 2017-01-18 2017-06-30 苏州睿达矩自动化设备有限公司 一种用于河流湖泊的水样采集装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004004304A1 (de) * 2004-01-28 2005-08-18 Micro Mechatronic Technologies Ag Verfahren zum Ausbilden und Absetzen kleiner Tröpfchen einer Flüssigkeit sowie Dispensiervorrichtung
EP3455596B1 (de) * 2016-05-11 2020-12-09 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. Schnellverbindung für messsonde mit flüssigkeitsspiegelerfassung

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4830832A (en) * 1985-12-17 1989-05-16 Hamilton Bonaduz Ag Pipette and pipetting apparatus
US5505097A (en) * 1991-02-05 1996-04-09 Suovaniemi; Osmo Pipette
US5620660A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-04-15 Eppendorf-Netheler-Hinz Gmbh Pipette system
EP0801309A2 (de) * 1996-04-08 1997-10-15 SANYO ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. Pipettiervorrichtung
WO2001068259A1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-09-20 Biogenex Laboratories Automated specimen processing apparatus with fluid detection

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4830832A (en) * 1985-12-17 1989-05-16 Hamilton Bonaduz Ag Pipette and pipetting apparatus
US5505097A (en) * 1991-02-05 1996-04-09 Suovaniemi; Osmo Pipette
US5620660A (en) * 1993-12-03 1997-04-15 Eppendorf-Netheler-Hinz Gmbh Pipette system
EP0801309A2 (de) * 1996-04-08 1997-10-15 SANYO ELECTRIC Co., Ltd. Pipettiervorrichtung
WO2001068259A1 (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-09-20 Biogenex Laboratories Automated specimen processing apparatus with fluid detection

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7462327B2 (en) 2002-10-12 2008-12-09 Eppendorf Ag Gripping tool, dosage tool and tool support for an automatic laboratory machine
DE10247731A1 (de) * 2002-10-12 2004-04-22 Eppendorf Ag Greifwerkzeug, Dosierwerkzeug und Werkzeughalter für einen Laborautomaten
US8377396B2 (en) 2002-10-12 2013-02-19 Eppendorf Ag Gripping tool, dosage tool and tool support for an automatic laboratory machine
DE10247731B4 (de) * 2002-10-12 2007-04-12 Eppendorf Ag Greifwerkzeug, Dosierwerkzeug und Werkzeughalter für einen Laborautomaten
DE102004016670A1 (de) * 2004-04-05 2005-10-20 Gerstel Systemtechnik Gmbh Verfahren zur Probenaufgabe für ein Probenanalysegerät und Linerhandhabungssystem
DE102004016670B4 (de) * 2004-04-05 2006-10-26 Gerstel Systemtechnik Gmbh & Co.Kg Verfahren zur Probenaufgabe für ein Probenanalysegerät und Linerhandhabungssystem
WO2005121807A1 (de) * 2004-06-07 2005-12-22 Aviso Gmbh Mechatronic Systems Werkzeugkopf für eine vorrichtung zur autmatischen isolierung und behandlung von zellklonen
JP2008501350A (ja) * 2004-06-07 2008-01-24 アヴィソ ゲーエムベーハー メカトロニック システムズ 細胞クローンの自動分離及び処置用機器のツールヘッド
KR100987559B1 (ko) * 2004-06-07 2010-10-12 아비소 게엠베하 메카트로닉 시스템 세포 클론들을 자동으로 격리 및 처리하기 위한 툴헤드 작동 장치
WO2008012596A3 (en) * 2006-07-26 2008-03-27 Health Robotics Srl Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
WO2008012596A2 (en) * 2006-07-26 2008-01-31 Health Robotics S.R.L. Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
US8297320B2 (en) 2006-07-26 2012-10-30 Health Robotics S.R.L. Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
US8800608B2 (en) 2006-07-26 2014-08-12 Health Robotics, S.r.l. Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
US8905086B2 (en) 2006-07-26 2014-12-09 Health Robotics, S.r.l. Machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products
EP2236199A3 (de) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-20 Ludger Fischer Verfahren und Einrichtung zum automatischen sterilen Dosieren und Mischen von Infusionen
EP2261676B1 (de) * 2009-06-12 2015-01-21 CTC Analytics AG Werkzeug zur Handhabung einer Probe
EP2633908A1 (de) * 2012-02-29 2013-09-04 K-Mac Biomaterial-Detektionsvorrichtung
CN106908271A (zh) * 2017-01-18 2017-06-30 苏州睿达矩自动化设备有限公司 一种用于河流湖泊的水样采集装置

Also Published As

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